FTA Convention

The 2010 Fur Takers of America (FTA) Rendezvous will take place June 10-12 in Columbus, Ind., at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds.The event offers a muskrat skinning contest, fur hat making, bird house making, dutch oven cooking, games for children and a building with vendors booths.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Matt & Tracy DeBarber !!

So I recently attended the National Trappers Association regional convention in Greenwich, NY and on the last day of the show I was standing at my booth when all of a sudden I picked up my head and lo & behold Matt DeBarber was standing in front of me ! If that wasn't enough of a surprise I turned my head and there was his wife, Tracy !

I hadn't seen these two folks for YEARS and they've done an awfully good job of "flying under the radar" ! These two go back to the early days of the CT NWCO Assoc.. Tracy was even the treasurer for a period of time. Matt went to Las Vegas with Eric Shaffer and myself the first year WCT was held out there.

Matt is still involved in wildlife control work, they enjoy their time in the country, and they both agreed to attend a future CT NWCO meeting, as I assured them everyone will be happy to see them and know they are doing well.

Heartbreaking News regarding White-Nosed Syndrome found in gray bats

It is with great sorrow that I report the White-nose Syndrome fungus has been found on gray bats. Friday, we received word that five bats tested positive in a genetic test for the White-nose Syndrome fungus outside a cave in Shannon County, Missouri-one of only a handful of gray bat hibernacula.

Gray bats are very near and dear to Bat Conservation International's heart. For decades, we have worked to recover the declining gray bat populations and the species was well on the road to being removed from the Federal Endangered Species List.

That was until White-nose Syndrome showed up in New York four years ago. BCI and bat scientists around the country have been nervously monitoring the spread of this devastating disease that has killed more than one million bats since 2006. This winter, the White-nose fungus spread to Tennessee, the epicenter of gray bat territory, and we feared the gray bat would be the seventh bat species and the second federally endangered species to be affected by the disease. At the end of winter, the Tennessee Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Bat Conservation International's Caves Coordinator, Jim Kennedy, returned from surveying Hubbard's Cave-one of the largest gray bat hibernacula-with hopeful news; the colony was stable with no sign of White-nose Syndrome. But now, the future isn't looking as bright.

Because of Bat Conservation International's strong emotional tie to this species, the gray bat was one of the first four Adopt-A-Bats to be released this past holiday season. If you'd like to support gray bats and the work we do, consider adopting a gray bat or donating online.

CAHABA Snake Trap Recieves Patent

The Cahaba Snake Trap has received United States Patent no.7726063 which covers their durable, indoor/outdoor collapsible snake trap.

Fur Makes a Comeback !

NEW YORK — Fur made a comeback Saturday at New York Fashion Week.

There were more fur coats on the runways of Peter Som, Prabal Gurung and Adam by Adam Lippes than in recent seasons. Alexander Wang had a cool leather trenchcoat with a strip of mink running entirely down the back.

"I believe people will buy fur in the fall. It keeps you warm," said Bloomingdale's fashion director Stephanie Solomon. "And for those who don't like the idea of fur, there is great faux fur."

Another option: Mongolian lambswool – a fuzzy, almost featherlike material – has emerged as a popular alternative.

Som showed almost muppet-like versions of the wool in hot pink and electric blue, but the fabric was also on display at Adam and as trim on dresses and shirts by other designers.

Fur has been more rare in recent seasons as luxury turned more discreet, so lambswool may be a more acceptable alternative. In Som's rendering, it still makes a statement, without being in-your-face luxurious. #

Teacher Killed by Wolves

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) – A schoolteacher found dead this week near a remote Alaska village was probably killed by wolves, Alaska State Troopers said on Thursday.

The fatal attack could be the first on U.S. soil in more than 50 years. Attacks by wild wolves, rather than wolves kept as pets, are extremely rare, numbering no more than a handful a decade, mostly in Canada and Russia.

Candice Berner, a 32-year-old teacher and avid jogger who traveled to several rural schools in Alaska, was found dead on Monday along a road near Chignik Lake, a Native Alutiiq village about 475 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Snowmobilers found her severely mauled body in a pool of blood and multiple wolf tracks in the snow, according to officials. The State Medical Examiner said the cause of death was "multiple injuries due to animal mauling."

Chignik Lake locals had expressed fears about wolf sightings in the area, state troopers said. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game plans a special meeting to hear their concerns.

State troopers said there were no records of deadly wolf maulings in Alaska. Bruce Woods, spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said fatal attacks are extremely rare worldwide.

(Editing by Bill Rigby)
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PCT Media Group - Pest Control Technology Magazine : A All Animal Control Celebrates 15 years of Operat

PCT Media Group - Pest Control Technology Magazine : A All Animal Control Celebrates 15 years of Operat

Talpirid Mole Trap

See a demonstration of Bell Labs new mole trap they are calling the Talpirid Mole Trap.

Lynn Braband on Ground Dwelling Bees

See Lynn Braband speak on Ground dwelling bees at the North Carolina Pest Conference. Video taken by Frank Andorka

of PMP magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf4efFfh9Z4&feature=player_embedded

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Open Season: He's not getting caught in this trap

By MARC FOLCO
Open Season
December 27, 2009 12:00 AM
Step right up folks and see "The Wild Man" stick his hand in that medieval torture device — the dreaded padded foothold trap. Never before seen by human eyes. Just one thin dime is all its takes to witness this horrific spectacle. Just one thin dime. Will he lose his hand, chopped off at the wrist or will he chew his arm off to get out of the trap? Will he writhe in agony and pain as he dies of gangrene or will he die of starvation, unable to free himself from the evil death trap? If you thought the geek biting the head off a chicken was something to see, you 'aint seen nothin' yet.
Don't settle for imposters. He's the genuine article. The one, the only — Trapped Wild Man. And seein' as the boss ain't around, I'm going to let the first ten people in absolutely free. That's right. Absolutely free! Alright now, no shoving, no pushing, there's plenty of room for everybody. Let the kids come up front where they can see the blood and gore. And the inhumanity! The cruelty! You think you can't bear to watch, but you won't be able to avert the eyes. You can't pull away.
Yes, the humane, padded foothold trap has been fiendishly demonized and sensationalized by animal rights drama queens as a freakish, cruel and torturous device that breaks bones, inflicts deadly damage on any living thing unlucky enough to step in it, is more painful than slamming your fingers in a car door, more powerful than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet, but the truth is it's a big pile of horse feathers.
The rubber-jaw foothold trap is a wildlife management tool that is designed with padded jaws to hold a fur-bearer securely and humanely until the trapper arrives, usually within a few hours. Unfortunately, it was outlawed in Massachusetts by ballot referendum in 1996 after well-funded animal rights extremists waged a propaganda-filled campaign filled with misinformation, half-truths and whole lies, misleading the public into believing they were voting to outlaw the old fashioned steel-jaw trap, like the old bear traps.
Should the lawmakers allow scientific wildlife management policy to be snatched from the hands of highly-educated, professional wildlife biologists and left to the whim of voters duped by wailing breast beaters?
Since the humane foothold trap was outlawed coyote populations exploded, with the cunning and often vicious animals terrorizing neighborhoods and people, and killing countless beloved pets and valuable livestock. They are fierce enough to kill adult deer and animals as large as cows. Recently in Canada, a woman was savagely attacked and killed by a pair of the ferocious animals, the second recorded human fatality in modern times, adding proof that they can be dangerous to humans.
Now that the media has been exposing the carnage by coyotes, animal rights extremists are worried that the Legislature could consider reversing the misbegotten ballot referendum and reinstate the use of the humane trap. Let's hope the Legislature does come to its senses in 2010 and reverses the ban so the humane wildlife management tool could be used very effectively once again, especially in areas where hunting is not an option.
In a recent anti-trapping letter to The Standard-Times, the writer implies that the fear of the trap being reinstated is real and could hurt the animal rights movement. She writes, "Here we go again with the call to bring back trapping. Did we forget that the people of Massachusetts voted to ban this cruel and inhumane practice? And it should stay banned — permanently!"
It should stay banned? At the cost of pets, livestock and possible human life and limb?
The writer also falsely claims that getting a limb caught in one of these devices is like slamming your fingers in a car door, but more painful and causes broken bones and other injuries. "For the fortunate animal who gets away, usually by chewing its leg off, it will die of gangrene. For those who can't get away, it will starve to death, get attacked by other animals, or wait on its fate when the trapper returns," she says.
So, are we to believe that an animal that gets away by chewing its leg off is "fortunate" to die slowly of gangrene, rather than be dispatched quickly and humanely by the trapper? Is this a fate that the animal rights movement deems fortunate and humane? And the animals don't starve to death because state law requires trappers to check their traps at least daily. All first-time trappers are also required to attend a trapper education course before being issued a license.
The writer also claims that domestic pets could fall victim to the traps. But the padded foothold trap is adjustable, so that only the weight of the targeted animal will spring the trap. If a trapper is after coyotes, the trap is set so that only an animal the weight of a 35-pound coyote (and heavier) will spring it. A cat or small dog is too light to set it off.
Even in the extremely rare event where a free-roaming cat or dog gets caught in a padded trap, the trapper would simply release it unharmed to scamper or trot its way home. Anyone who allows a cat or dog to roam free puts that pet at greater risk of much more dangerous and deadly fates, such as falling prey to larger, more aggressive free-range pets, coyotes, foxes, fishers, hawks or cars.
In closing, the writer challenges, "If these so-called rubber-jaw traps are painless "» I want to see a trapper put his hand in one. Let's see how much it doesn't hurt."
This outdoor writer is not a trapper, but he is a hunter and conservationist and knowledgeable enough about trapping to accept the challenge and demonstrate that the traps truly are humane and not the heinous devices purported by the animal rights drama queens. So I got a coyote-size rubber-padded trap and went to The Standard-Times office to have the demonstration filmed by S-T videographer Nick Tavares.
Quiet on the set. Take one. Lights, camera and "» action! I set the trap, demonstrated how a small animal can't set it off, then stuck my hand in it and sprung it. Seeing as human finger bones are much smaller than a coyote's leg bone and human skin is much thinner than a tough-skinned coyote, my fingers and hand surely would be broken, mangled and bloodied, so the writer claimed.
It clamped onto my hand and to the surprise (and disappointment maybe?) of the cameraman and a few onlookers (who all asked for their dimes back — hey no refunds) there was no screaming, crying, blood, broken bones or other damage.

It's not nearly as painful as slamming your fingers in a car door and not even as painful as pulling a hair out of your nose. I didn't have the urge to chew my arm off and it's been six days since then and no gangrene has set in and I have not starved to death, debunking the myths and misinformation that they are cruel and inhumane. And while my hand was in the trap nobody said, "let's get him," and came to attack me.
To view the demonstration online, visit SouthCoastToday.com/sports and see for yourself. Then stick around for the next show and see JoJo the dog-faced boy. He walks, he talks and he crawls on his belly like the reptile man!

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Clunkers for Bats !

You can get a little more value out of that old car - truck, van, motorcycle, boat or airplane - thats cluttering up your yard. Donate it to Bat Conservation International and they'll use the proceeds to help conserve bats and their habitats around the world.

 

BCI can accept cars and other vehicles from anywhere in the United States. The vehicle doesn't have to be running; they'll tow it away for free. Vehicles that don't sell at auction are sold for salvage. Bat Conservation gets the profits either way. Call BCI toll-free, at 877-BATS-123. They'll pick up your vehicle and haul it away. You'll receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation.

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Animal Lovers Should STOP sending money to Zealots

Sat Nov 28, 2009 5:29 am (PST)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/12/animal-lovers-should-stop-sending-money-to-zealots/?print-friendly

http://tinyurl.com/yjk5j2q

November 12, 2009
Animal lovers should stop sending money to zealots
Rich Landers
The Spokesman-Review
 

I took a beating in the letters-to-the-editor pages a few weeks ago for
pointing out the threat national-scale animal rights groups pose to the
sports of hunting and fishing.

Now I'm turning the other cheek.

Readers shouldn't assume that the published letters were the only reaction.

Nor should they think the threat these groups pose is limited to hunters
and anglers.

The published letters came mostly from one group of Spokane-area animal
rights activists and Wayne Pacelle, the national figurehead for the
Humane Society of the United States.

But many phone calls and e-mails called for more scrutiny of these
groups and the moral fascism they are trying to impose on society's use
and enjoyment of animals.

One veterinarian pointed out that these groups are clawing their way
through legal and legislative channels toward giving pets individual
rights rather than leaving them designated as the property of their owners.

The vet said that, among other problems, this would have huge
repercussions in the costs of veterinary care and liability.

"Can you imagine the costs of routine pet procedures if we have to run
unnecessary tests and insure ourselves for protection against possible
multimillion-dollar lawsuits?" he said.

One e-mail came from a woman who works with a small-town animal welfare
organization that does the dirty work of caring for the epidemic of
lost, abused or unwanted pets. She thanked me for pointing out that
these local nonprofit animal rescue groups – including the local Humane
Societies that have no connection with the Humane Society of the United
States – are always scrapping for money to do their work.

"I used to donate (to HSUS), years ago, but all the money seemed to go
to mailings with another free key chain and a request for more money,"
she wrote. "I was never sure that my donation was helping homeless animals.

"I now only donate locally, like to the Spokane Humane Society, or to
our organization, where 100 percent of funds are spent on vet care."

This woman, the veterinarian and others asked not to be identified
because they didn't want to endure the crap animal rights groups like to
dish out to dissenters.

Speaking out publicly can start a smear campaign and financial burden
for a pet care professional or local animal charity.

A story in Tuesday's paper detailed how the HSUS, PETA and other animal
rights zealots are trying to prevent the use of animals in veterinary
training and biomedical research.

Medical and veterinary students cannot learn the complexities of
hemorrhage on a computer model. Period.

Scientists who are trying to find cures for diseases and test surgical
procedures and devices are having their lives threatened by the moral
fascists.

"I'd rather see (animals) euthanized than go to a research facility,"
said Minnesota Animal Rights Coalition president Charlotte Cozzetto.

These are the nuts who are draining millions of dollars from the
checking accounts of little old ladies and others in the uninformed
masses who think they are saving puppies and kittens.

But in most cases, these national groups donate little or nothing back
to the actual care and welfare of those unwanted animals that are
euthanized by the hundreds of thousands every year.

Pacelle smugly wrote The Spokesman-Review to charge me with misinforming
the public about the ramifications of his recent testimony before the
Supreme Court. He said the case had nothing to do with possibly making
hunters and anglers criminals for being filmed or photographed with
their quarry.

What he failed to say was that it was Justices Scalia, Sotomayor and
others in the Supreme Court chambers who were making that association,
not this lowly scribe in Spokane.

He also failed to acknowledge the numbers I shared with readers from the
HSUS tax forms showing that more than half of the $4.8 million the group
raised in one year for its feeble facade of creating wildlife
sanctuaries goes back into mailing and propaganda.

This is the huge difference between sportsmen-supported wildlife
conservation groups and national animal zealot groups.

When you write a check to Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation or The Nature Conservancy, the money goes into preserving
habitat for wildlife survival and human quality of life.

A check written to HSUS largely supports moral fascism.

These zealots must constantly squeal about animal atrocities, because to
be reasonable and effective would curtail the heavy flow of cash into
their pockets.

Contact Rich Landers at 509 459-5508 or richl@spokesman.com.

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Liphatech announces the winners of its' "Rodent Rally" at the recent PestWorld

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The fastest mouse took more than the cheese at Liphatech’s second Rodent Rally during PestWorld 2009. The prize was cash, actually.

Liphatech featured its second “Rodent Rally” competition at the industry-wide trade show in Las Vegas. More than 170 competitors took part in 85 timed speed events that rely on radio-controlled mice. The road course, housed in the Liphatech booth, featured various company products as elements of the raceway and as obstacles on the course.

“The Rodent Rally proved to be even more popular in 2009,” said Jim Doll, marketing manager, pest management division, Liphatech. “We had more rally competitors than last year and a corresponding increase in the number of visitors to our booth. It’s a fun, interesting way to introduce people to our product offering. The game essentially teaches people what our products do.”

In addition to drawing a crowd with its race competition, Liphatech displayed its complete rodent control offerings, including soft-bait product – FirstStrike. FirstStrike is a 10-gram pouch that provides outstanding palatability for use in bait stations and other applications. The product is designed for flexible dosing – use the exact amount of FirstStrike necessary – more for heavy infestations, less for maintenance.

Three winners were recognized each day of the show. First-day winners included Sean Horne, Commonwealth, Newport News, Va, first; Mitch Taylor, Capital Pest Services, Raleigh, N.C., second; and Paul Nibarger, Prime Pest Control, Spokane, Wash, third. Second-day winners included Garret Thrasher, Thrasher Termite and Pest Control, Inc., San Diego, first; Scott Pinkerton, Univar, Houston, second; and Tom Bickel, Pioneer Pest Management, St. Louis, third. Third-day winners were Jeff Keller, Arizona Exterminating Co., Phoenix, first; Brad Turner, Lady-Bug Services, Inc., Amarillo, Tex., second; and Shaun Mimick, Paraclipse, Columbus, Neb., third.

Thrasher was the overall course winner with a time of 28.63 seconds. All heat winners took home a Liphatech Rodent Rally cap; first-, second- and third-place winners each day took home $150, $100 and $50 gift cards, respectively.

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Record-Breaking Attendance at PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas!

Attracting more than 3,600 pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers and distributors, including 545 international delegates from 58 countries and 156 exhibiting companies, the National Pest Management Association's (NPMA) PestWorld 2009 Convention & Exhibition broke attendance records in Las Vegas last month. Additionally, the PMP to exhibitor ratio of three to one exceeded everyone's expectations - resulting in a jammed-packed trade show floor and unprecedented participation at all convention events. The attendance at PestWorld 2009 was a 20 percent increase from 2008, and surpassed the previously held attendance record from PestWorld 2007 in Orlando.

Following a moving video with the song "Stand by Me," Rob Lederer, NPMA's Executive Vice President, stated that the video's message captures what NPMA and PestWorld are really all about - an association that supports an industry, a community of association leaders that give their time to support other members, and a supplier community that continues to invest in our industry and supports the association.

PestWorld 2010, NPMA's 77^th annual convention and exhibition, will be held October 20-23 in Honolulu, Hawai’i at the Hawai’i Convention Center.

Maine Trappers Win, Other States Trap Legislation

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation 801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH  43229 Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326 Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  November 11, 2009                                                                     Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 x 226

Maine Trappers Win Major Court Victory (Columbus, Ohio) – Trappers in Maine won a major victory as the state's Federal District Court upheld the state's trapping practices and blocked the establishment of a precedent that could be used by anti-hunting and anti-trapping groups nationwide.  In 2008, the Animal Welfare Institute and the Wildlife Alliance of Maine filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) seeking a permanent injunction that would have essentially prohibited trapping in the state.  The lawsuit claimed that Maine's trapping regulations violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because Canada lynx, a threatened species under the ESA, could be incidentally caught in traps causing "irreparable harm" to the population.  Throughout the case, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with the Maine Trappers' Association, Fur Takers of America, National Trappers' Association, and several individual sportsmen, argued that the anti-trapping plaintiffs had to show that Maine's trapping practices were a threat to the Canada lynx population as a whole.  The plaintiffs insisted that harm to one individual lynx was sufficient for the Court to prohibit trapping in the state.  On November 10th, Federal District Court Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. ruled that Maine's trapping practices did not irreparably harm the Canada lynx and denied the injunction sought by the anti-trappers.  Further, the Judge agreed with the state and the USSAF that "irreparable harm" is harm to a species as a whole and not simply one individual member.    "Although the plaintiffs may appeal the ruling, the Federal Court's decision is a monumental victory for the trappers in Maine and sets an excellent precedent that will make it harder for the antis to misuse the ESA in their attempts to ban hunting and trapping in other states," states USSAF Vice President for Government Affairs Rob Sexton.  "We knew the evidence was on our side and are thrilled with outcome," said Skip Trask, executive director of the Maine Trappers Association.  "The USSAF's legal assistance was invaluable to the favorable outcome." Chick Andres, President of the Fur Takers of America commented, "Trappers nationwide should be grateful that the court saw through what the anti's were trying to do." In 2008 the USSAF's legal arm, the U.S. Sportsmen's Legal Defense Fund, was granted permission to intervene in the lawsuit.  The case came on the heels of similar case, also in Maine, that was settled in late 2007 when the DIFW agreed to restrict trap sizes in areas where Canada lynx exist. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation protects and defends America's wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them.  The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussafoundation.org.

Montana Trappers Under Fire

Anti-Trapping Group Pushing 2010 Ballot Issue to Outlaw Trapping on Public Land  6/24/09 

Montana trappers are gearing up for a fight in the wake of efforts by an anti-trapping group to eliminate trapping on public land in the state.
A group called Footloose Montana is working to place an issue on the ballot in 2010 that will outlaw all trapping on public land.  The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has already begun contacting other organizations to see how we may coordinate to help oppose it.  Those groups include the Montana Trappers Association, the National Trappers Association, and Fur Takers of America.
Though the issue still has a ways to go before making its way onto the ballot, Footloose Montana is actively seeking grassroots supporters and gathering the signatures necessary for it to qualify.
"This initiative sets a terrible precedent," states USSA president and CEO Bud Pidgeon.  "State wildlife managers support trapping and recognize its importance in managing furbearing populations for the benefit of all wildlife as well as protecting the public from outbreaks of diseases.  USSA will work with other in the hunting community to defeat this anti-hunting attack."
NH Anti-Trapping Bill: A Trapping bill has been introduced in N.H. The bill reads LSR2093 Prohibiting the possession or sale of raw skins or carcasses of fur bearing animals. This bill was introduced by Rep Steve Vaillancourt. He introduced a bill in 2007 to prohibit leghold and conibear traps. We Beat him unanimously in 2007 with a strong showing at the hearing and a strong campaign to call all our legislators. We targeted the Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee which heard the bill first. They voted 18-0 to send the bill inexpedient to legislate. Sportsmen are going with the same strategy this year. We expect this bill will be heard in committee in Jan or Feb, 2010. The text on this bill is not yet available.
MA Pro-Trapping Bill: In July House Bill 736 made it over the first BIG HURDLE it made it out of committee, FAVORABLY. This is the first time for a very long time a significant trapping bill has made it out of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and can help put Massachusetts back on track to responsible wildlife management using the most effective, efficient devices available, with the welfare of the animal as a high priority. This bill will allow the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW) to regulate and allow for use during the established furbearer harvest seasons certain live restraint and "quick kill' devices that adhere to internationally developed "Best Management Practices (BMPs).  These BMPs have been developed through a scientific process involving years of field and laboratory testing under the auspices of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).The Original bill HB736 "Protecting our Natural Resources" (NOW HB4172), currently in the House Ways and Means Committee, has been amended to a point where it will not effectively, proactively address beaver, fox or coyote population management and aid in the reduction, or provide a timely proper reaction to wildlife attack. The amended bill is a simply a bureaucratic nightmare and continuation of unreasonable restrictions. Herb Bergquist resides in Shelburne, MA and is president of a new conservation organization here in Massachusetts called the "Committee for Responsible Wildlife Management". As a group, we are extremely concerned about the rising incidence of animal/human conflicts and attacks going on across the Commonwealth.   Ever since 1996, when the Question One Ballot Initiative took away the ability to proactively manage our wildlife populations using the most effective devices available; beaver, coyote, fox and raccoon populations have increased dramatically... creating the foundation for much of the issues we are seeing today. The bottom line is that the current trapping laws are excessively restrictive and do not allow for the use of the most advanced, effective, and safe devices by licensed and trained individuals. CCS urges ALL MA sportsmen to visit this website and communicate with legislators in support of the original bill.  

Local Sportsmen Representative Needed to Help the Fight           11/4/09

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) fights daily for your rights to enjoy the outdoors.  Of course, we can't and have not accomplished this alone.  We have been blessed with a legion of volunteers who have stepped to the plate to fight for their rights.  As the threats to our heritage mount, so is our need for help.
That is why we are looking for new field volunteers to represent us at the local level. These volunteers are called Local Field Directors (LFD) and experience is not needed, just a strong desire to represent the outdoor lifestyle. 
LFDs work to promote the USSA in their local areas and states. Beyond getting their expenses covered and a small stipend, LFDs represent the front line in our fights and in our efforts to bring new sportsmen into the field.  They conduct club visits, help to rally sportsmen when major issues come up, work booths at local shows and fairs and assist with other local USSA projects. 
The LFD program also plays a key role in the coordination of Trailblazer Adventure Day programs around the country. Trailblazer has introduced over 900,000 youth and their families to an outdoor lifestyle of shooting, hunting, fishing and trapping since launching in 2001.
LFDs who meet criteria will be invited to a national training meeting to be held in early 2010.
If you want to get on the front lines to promote and defend our heritage, The USSA needs YOUR help.  For more information, contact Frank Price at fprice@ussportsmen.org or call 614-888-4868 x 202.
Help keep America's Outdoor Heritage alive!

 

Attendees Show Up in Impressive Numbers

Despite a still recovering economy and market uncertainties, pest management professionals turned out in large numbers for PestWorld 2009, held last week at the Venetian Palazzo in Las Vegas. NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer (left) said PestWorld pre-registration was up more than 15 percent over last year.

NYSWMA Announces 2010 Seminar

The New York State Wildlife Management Association has announced the date of their 2010 Seminar being held in Owego, NY. It is February 27th, 2010, so mark your calendars, it is being held at the Treadway Inn as it has been for the past several years. This has always been a quality show with excellent speakers and is very well attended. The Treadway has nice accomodations and the food is excellent. WCS has been attending this seminar as a vendor since it was moved from Carrier Circle in Syracuse and it is a "Do Not Miss" event for us. For more information on the seminar or to sign up, please visit:

http://www.nyswma.org/dnn/Seminar/tabid/124/Default.aspx

New Guinea Walking Stick

While recently attending the University of Kentucky Short Course in Lexington, KY one of the entomology students came around the exhibit area with a "very cool bug" a New Guinea Walking Stick seen here.

We also had the good fortune of being located just across from Pete Grasso from Pest Management Professional magazine and he was able to take some video of the "bug" ! See it here on Pete's Blog: http://pgrasso.wordpress.com/

2007 - 2008 Wildlife Services Publication Award

Hello and Congratulations,

In the following information, you will see that Huot Bergman publication was selected as an award winning publication by the Wildlife Services program for 2007-2008.  I would like to personnally thank each of you for your hard work and dedication to seeing the publication through to the end.  This was truly a joint publication and Bob you were definitely a big part of the authorship.

Again, congratulations and thank you,

Dave

----- Forwarded by David L Bergman/AZ/APHIS/USDA on 09/29/2009 12:49 PM -----

                                                                                                     September 29, 2009

TO:                Wildlife Services Employees

                                        
FROM:        William H. Clay                
                Deputy Administrator

I am pleased to announce the selection of the 2007 – 2008 WS Publication Award winners.  Many outstanding
papers were received and considered by the WS Publication Awards Committee.  The breadth of the publications
subject matter and collaboration of operations and research staff continues to forward the WS mission of leadership
in managing problems caused by wildlife.  In accordance with WS Directive 4.410, three papers were selected for the
WS Recognition of Publication Award.

First place was awarded to Mark Collinge for his authorship of:  Collinge, M. 2008.  Relative risk of predation
on livestock posed by individual wolves, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes, in Idaho.  Proc. 23rd Vertebr.
Pest Conf.  129-133.

Second place was awarded to David Bergman for his authorship of:  Huot, A. A., and D. L. Bergman.  2007.  
Suitable and effective coyote control tools for the urban/suburban setting.  Proc. 12th Wildlf. Damage Mgmt.
Conf. 312-322.  

Third place was awarded to Ed Hartin and Tyler Campbell for their authorship of:  Hartin, R. E., M. R. Ryan,
and T. A. Campbell.  2007.  Distribution and disease prevalence of feral hogs in Missouri.  Human-Wildlife
Conflicts 1(2): 186-191.

I would like to congratulate the authors for their outstanding work and to thank all those who submitted publications.